WDEV

Infobox Radio station
name = Radio Vermont
WDEV & WDEV-FM


city = Waterbury, Vermont
area =
branding =
slogan =
airdate = 1931
frequency = WDEV: 550 kHz
WDEV-FM: 96.1 MHz
format =
power =
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class =
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owner = Radio Vermont Group
webcast =
website = [http://www.wdevradio.com/ http://www.wdevradio.com/]
affiliations =

WDEV is a radio station based in Waterbury, Vermont and licensed to Barre, just outside the state capital of Montpelier. The station was founded in 1931. A 2005 article in "Harper's" magazine cited WDEV as one of the best examples of independent radio broadcasting in the United States.

Programming

WDEV, founded in 1931, operates on both the AM and FM bands. Its programming consists of talk shows (some, such as the Eric Michaels Show, are in-house, others, such as the extreme right leaning "True North", are syndicated in), "Music to Go to the Dump By", "The Trading Post", music and sports. Mark Johnson and Anthony Pollina host local talk shows at, respectively, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays.

The Trading Post

The Trading Post is an early-morning advertising block that consists of people calling in with three items or less (and only one car, unless the others are free or a parts car) to advertise them to the listening public. There is also a "Mailbag Edition", which is the host reading written submissions. These are almost always textual, with the occasional (and unhelpful) picture thrown in.

Music to Go to the Dump By

Perhaps noting special attention is this odd programming block that runs "in memory of Marie" from 9 to 10 AM on Saturday mornings. It is hosted by Buster the Wonder Dog and his Faithful Companion, Ken. Ken is Ken Squier, station owner and operator.

Starting as soon as possible after 9, the show starts off with Ken talking to himself and Buster, apparently not noticing he is on the air. He talks to Buster as though he were a person; Buster makes no noise other than lapping at his water bowl and eating. After a couple minutes of this, Ken "realizes" that he's on the air, states the episode number (which he apparently makes up on the spot) and cuts to the theme song.

Following that, the show settles in to roughly an hour of odd songs, jokes the readers send in, and sporadic visits from Farmer Dave, who has run since 2002 on the "Undecided Cow Party" ticket for governor of the state.

The songs tend to be weird, and are an eclectic mix of rare recordings, home recordings sent in, and the occasional Tom Lehrer song. Florence Foster Jenkins enjoyed an extremely brief resurgence of popularity on the show, and occasionally a more 'mainstream' oddball tune, such as "I Like Chinese" or "The Monster Mash" will be played.

In March of 2008, Buster died, putting this show on indefinite hiatus.

Other programming

WDEV airs the weekly card of NASCAR-sanctioned auto racing from Thunder Road International Speedway in Barre, Vermont. Squier, co-founder of Motor Racing Network, is P.A. announcer at the track.

External links

*AM station data|WDEV
*FM station data|WDEV